Providence will meet Washington and Virginia Tech will play Saint Louis in the semifinals of the 23rd annual 2K Classic at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 16-17.

ESPN staff

College basketball isn't that far off. And to get you set for the season -- as well as for holiday viewing plans -- ESPN unveiled the brackets for six holiday tournaments. The 2K Classic will take place on Nov. 16-17 on ESPN.

Providence head coach Ed Cooley would be a good fit at Georgetown given his success in the Big East and ability to recruit high-level talent.

ESPN Stats and Information

Providence got off to a hot start against USC in Wednesday's First Four matchup, scoring 44 points in the first half and hitting 8-of-15 3-point attempts to race out to a 15-point lead. Things took a turn for the worse in the second half, though.

The Friars made the tournament despite a lack of size. Cooley has tried to address that problem with the 2017 class.

Dave Tuley ESPN Staff Writer

USC rallied from 17-point deficit to beat Providence 75-71 in their NCAA First Four game in Dayton, Ohio. The ViewFromVegas is the Trojans not only won but also covered after closing as 2-point favorites. The game went over the betting total of 142. In the First Four games, underdogs went 2-1 ATS with one game closing pick 'em (Wake Forest-Kansas State). Overs went 3-1.

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Austin Ward ESPN Staff Writer

USC didn't have to wait long for its NCAA tournament revenge. After dropping a heartbreaker to Providence a year ago, the Trojans pulled off a remarkable comeback from 17 points down to return the favor and inflict some punishment on the Friars. Bennie Boatwright carried USC through some lean offensive stretches, and that was crucial in setting up the date on Friday against East No. 6 seed SMU.

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Austin Ward ESPN Staff Writer

If not for Bennie Boatwright, USC would be in even worse shape as it tries to regroup at halftime of the First Four. Providence isn't giving away easy looks to any Trojans, though Boatwright has still found a way to put up 14 points so far. But that's nearly half of the team's scoring, and without some help from the rest of the cast, USC has little chance of closing the 15-point deficit.

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Austin Ward ESPN Staff Writer

Why is this Friar flying around UD Arena? Jalen Lindsey is on pace for a career scoring night after knocking down 4 of his first 6 attempts from 3-point range. Providence is getting whatever it wants offensively against USC.

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Eamonn Brennan ESPN Staff Writer

Ed Cooley with a timeout in the first 60 seconds. Someone make a note to check back in April; chances are we just saw the fastest TO of the tournament.

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Austin Ward ESPN Staff Writer

There's only one more ticket out of the First Four left, and USC and Providence are ready to try to claim it.

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Dave Tuley ESPN Staff Writer

The second night of NCAA tournament First Four games are about to tip off in Dayton, Ohio. The ViewFromVegas is North Carolina Central is a 3.5-point favorite over UC-Davis in a No. 16 seed battle to earn a date with Kansas. In the nightcap, USC is down to a 2-point favorite over Providence in a No. 11 seed battle to face SMU.

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Austin Ward ESPN Staff Writer

There will be two more teams leaving UD Arena with a victory and a chance to keep fighting in the NCAA tournament when the night is over. The First Four featured a pair of competitive games on Tuesday, and North Carolina Central and UC Davis will have the first shot to keep that streak alive this evening before Providence takes on USC.

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Austin Ward ESPN Staff Writer

A group of dedicated Dayton fans are the first folks in the parking lot on a chilly afternoon before the second day of the First Four. Tournament Fever is in full swing.

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ESPN Stats and Information

ESPN's BPI expects Providence to knock USC out of the Big Dance for the second consecutive year. Only once have the Friars won a game in consecutive NCAA tournaments (1973-74).